Fabiana Murer of Brazil had about one week to enjoy her world leading mark set at the Milrose Games last week. Yelena Isinbayeva took the lead coming out of retirement at a meet in Russia. So what's the big deal? Besides the fact that the Brazilian is strong and sleek, my coach Kris Allison, met her and her coach at the South American Pole Vault Summit in Argentina in 2008. At that point she hadn't even made 15' (4.57m) but Kris told me that she would be huge, and of course she is. So keep an eye on this slick Brazilian, and others to come. Bubba
Here is a video of Fabiana breaking the Bazil record of 4.82m (15' 9 1/2")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N54pkhvoMxg
Here she is beating Arkanas school teacher, April Steiner Bennett in Rio to get her first 15' vault.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj9aLbgm9EQ&feature=related
Oh yeah - my training - grind away in the cold garage.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
First Full Training Day
When I look at today's training compared to my first day after Belton on 1/1, I feel a lot stronger and better conditioned. If you remember I had a slight groin cramp I wanted to protect so I hit the cardio hard on the Gauntlet (actual stairs) and bike, as well as bumped my lifts up to 28 reps instead of 18 one day and 12 on another. I was surprised how far I came in such a short time and I got some reward in Reno when bigger poles started to feel smaller. I'm hoping for the same this time around.
Again I will train for four weeks and not jump. I will however do all kinds of drills gripping the end of a 16/175 including sprint drills with ankle weights combined with more sled/hill running. The objective is to cover more ground with less effort and have a very stiff body hitting the pole at take off. This results in a big pole feeling small and produces higher jumps.
I tell the kids all of the time that once you can get the pole past vertical, all jumps feel the same. To get a bigger pole past vertical requires better strength and technique as well as speed and power. So that's the mission; how big of a pole can I get past vertical so I can get launched?
Jumping in practice is fun but not when it's cold, so I'm fine with this. I remember when I was getting ready for the World Masters Games in Sydney that I would sometimes take between 1-3 jumps in practice and stop. I got this from World and Olympic Champion Steve Hooker. One year he was coming off of injuries and knew he could get hurt again so his jumps would be limited. Because of this he would stop when he hit 1-2 jumps correctly. He said that his focus was so much better that he really didn't need many jumps and that he would be better off getting in better condition. So that's where I am. If it were spring or summer I would jump at least once a week and sometimes twice. But since the weather is crap anyway, then why not just crank away? Hard to argue with an indoor PR in Reno after not jumping for four weeks.
Speaking of Reno, I finally got that jump on my computer so I can pause and advance frame by frame. I've posted it here but here is a direct link
http://www.bubbapv.com/Bubba-410m.mov
Again I will train for four weeks and not jump. I will however do all kinds of drills gripping the end of a 16/175 including sprint drills with ankle weights combined with more sled/hill running. The objective is to cover more ground with less effort and have a very stiff body hitting the pole at take off. This results in a big pole feeling small and produces higher jumps.
I tell the kids all of the time that once you can get the pole past vertical, all jumps feel the same. To get a bigger pole past vertical requires better strength and technique as well as speed and power. So that's the mission; how big of a pole can I get past vertical so I can get launched?
Jumping in practice is fun but not when it's cold, so I'm fine with this. I remember when I was getting ready for the World Masters Games in Sydney that I would sometimes take between 1-3 jumps in practice and stop. I got this from World and Olympic Champion Steve Hooker. One year he was coming off of injuries and knew he could get hurt again so his jumps would be limited. Because of this he would stop when he hit 1-2 jumps correctly. He said that his focus was so much better that he really didn't need many jumps and that he would be better off getting in better condition. So that's where I am. If it were spring or summer I would jump at least once a week and sometimes twice. But since the weather is crap anyway, then why not just crank away? Hard to argue with an indoor PR in Reno after not jumping for four weeks.
Speaking of Reno, I finally got that jump on my computer so I can pause and advance frame by frame. I've posted it here but here is a direct link
http://www.bubbapv.com/Bubba-410m.mov
PS - a special salute to the nutcases who joined me on the "Tell the Geico Woodchuck's story". I foolishly said to a few friends, "I wonder what their names are". From that came a back an forth story about who they are, where they came from, their families, prison records, girlfirends, etc. Too funny. Now - come up with your own "Most Interesting Man in the World" quotes.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Back in Action
When I woke up in our Clearwater, Florida hotel with the panoramic ocean view and 68 degrees, my computer said Houston was clear and 27. When we landed at 10:30 it was 33. After lunch is was 48. An hour later I was at the track and doing my 10 X 50m sled/hills and watching the masters guys practice, it was 55 and I was comfortable in my T-Shirt. Beautiful day and sleds felt great.
Four weeks from today is indoor nationals in Albuquerque. I had a four week ramp up to Reno where I began borderline injured. I feel in prefect health in heart, mind, body and spirits, so as long as I train consistently and don't do anything dumb, I should be able to roll into ABQ healthier than I arrived at Reno. Again I won't vault during this break as I feel confident in my jump. I just need to be faster and more powerful. That's the theory so we will see how it goes. But the main reason I'm not jumping is that it is too darned cold and not worth the injury risk. Have a great evening! Bubba
Four weeks from today is indoor nationals in Albuquerque. I had a four week ramp up to Reno where I began borderline injured. I feel in prefect health in heart, mind, body and spirits, so as long as I train consistently and don't do anything dumb, I should be able to roll into ABQ healthier than I arrived at Reno. Again I won't vault during this break as I feel confident in my jump. I just need to be faster and more powerful. That's the theory so we will see how it goes. But the main reason I'm not jumping is that it is too darned cold and not worth the injury risk. Have a great evening! Bubba
Friday, February 4, 2011
Withdrawls
So, a week ago today I had a marvelous all around experience in Reno. As you have figured, I do everything with passion so doing NOTHING for a week is very hard yet sometimes needed. Being out of town makes it tougher in some ways and easier in others. I miss being able to play the guitar, head over to the track or gym, lounge around the house, etc. But most of all I miss being able to do the day to day stuff that makes me, me.
I get home tomorrow about 10:30 and it's supposed to get up to the low 50's. This of course means I will "get to do" my 10 X 50m sled/hills. OK, so I'm weird. When you have a breakthrough you're anxious to get back to what got you there. And I will, along with some new top secret training aids. Just kidding - I have no secrets, as I am an open book. You just may not always recognize the language I am speaking. Have a great day! Bubba
I get home tomorrow about 10:30 and it's supposed to get up to the low 50's. This of course means I will "get to do" my 10 X 50m sled/hills. OK, so I'm weird. When you have a breakthrough you're anxious to get back to what got you there. And I will, along with some new top secret training aids. Just kidding - I have no secrets, as I am an open book. You just may not always recognize the language I am speaking. Have a great day! Bubba
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Texas Here We Stay!!
I had my main meeting in Florida yesterday and we have determined that the scope of the work project is so large that we are going to attempt to do it in phases and along with inside management rather than one fell swoop with me leading the charge from here. This means we do not have to move and I can get ready for the World Masters Championships in Sacramento. Glad to have this resolved. It is actually the best for me but I was willing to do whatever it took to make deal work. Very pleased!
A week ago today I was in Reno and I am happy to say that I feel far better today than I did last week. I think the week off has been good to me, my mind and my body. Of course it's snowing at home and I'm in the mid 70s and on the beach in Florida. Fortunately I should get to come back here about once a month for the foreseeable future.
Future? I'm always a big short and long term planner but I have to say that developments over the past week have made me more excited about my future than I have been in many years. They say things happen for a reason and I'm sure they do. I'm always optimistic anyway but I have a new breath of fresh air now. It's like a piece of my spirit has been returned to me. Very excited about life. Have a great day and thank for being here for me! Bubba
A week ago today I was in Reno and I am happy to say that I feel far better today than I did last week. I think the week off has been good to me, my mind and my body. Of course it's snowing at home and I'm in the mid 70s and on the beach in Florida. Fortunately I should get to come back here about once a month for the foreseeable future.
Future? I'm always a big short and long term planner but I have to say that developments over the past week have made me more excited about my future than I have been in many years. They say things happen for a reason and I'm sure they do. I'm always optimistic anyway but I have a new breath of fresh air now. It's like a piece of my spirit has been returned to me. Very excited about life. Have a great day and thank for being here for me! Bubba
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Pole Series
I'm asked all the time about my poles so I thought I would clear up some of that here today. Of course a man's pole is very personal and I am lucky to have the best. Since 1975 Bruce Caldwell has been behind what I use. First as the National Sales Manager for Skypole, then when he started FibreSport, and now with best poles I have ever used, Essx.
My meet series is made up of seven Essx custom carbons. I have 15' 1" (4.60m) sails on a 14' 7" (4.45M) body with 5.5" (12cm) cut off the bottoms so they roll. Then the tops are trimmed to between 13' 1" (4m) and 13' 7" (4.14m), with my current max grip at 13' 4" (4.07m). After all of this, my poles are flexed on a 14’ 1” (4.30m) scale so I can relate them to the poles I am most familiar with. They begin at 15.8 and end at 14.2, so that’s like 167 – 184 (76-84 kg) in lbs. I jump at about 167-68 (76-77 kg). I won World Masters Games in Sydney on a 15.7 and jumped 13’ 5 ¼” (4.10m) at Reno on a 14.4. These poles pick me up better and have more blow off the top. That’s what it will take to get me to 14’ (4.27m). Well, and getting in better shape.
I like to have a brief warm up and then do my real warm up in the meet so I have more energy when it counts. I typically start my run in a meet at 10 steps for two heights, then go to 12 steps for two heights, and then to 14 steps for the remainder. I’m always trying to get on each pole from one stride closer as that gives me 6” (15 cm) more height per pole. I can and will run from 16 steps if needed.
The poles took some getting used to because they are quicker and less forgiving. I’ve been getting lots of height on bars but haven’t really found the timing to leave up the high ones until Reno. My prep for that meet was really good as well as a lot of active rest activity at the hotel leading up to it. I felt really free mentally and loose physically. Looking forward to getting back to training. Thanks for being here! Bubba
My meet series is made up of seven Essx custom carbons. I have 15' 1" (4.60m) sails on a 14' 7" (4.45M) body with 5.5" (12cm) cut off the bottoms so they roll. Then the tops are trimmed to between 13' 1" (4m) and 13' 7" (4.14m), with my current max grip at 13' 4" (4.07m). After all of this, my poles are flexed on a 14’ 1” (4.30m) scale so I can relate them to the poles I am most familiar with. They begin at 15.8 and end at 14.2, so that’s like 167 – 184 (76-84 kg) in lbs. I jump at about 167-68 (76-77 kg). I won World Masters Games in Sydney on a 15.7 and jumped 13’ 5 ¼” (4.10m) at Reno on a 14.4. These poles pick me up better and have more blow off the top. That’s what it will take to get me to 14’ (4.27m). Well, and getting in better shape.
I like to have a brief warm up and then do my real warm up in the meet so I have more energy when it counts. I typically start my run in a meet at 10 steps for two heights, then go to 12 steps for two heights, and then to 14 steps for the remainder. I’m always trying to get on each pole from one stride closer as that gives me 6” (15 cm) more height per pole. I can and will run from 16 steps if needed.
The poles took some getting used to because they are quicker and less forgiving. I’ve been getting lots of height on bars but haven’t really found the timing to leave up the high ones until Reno. My prep for that meet was really good as well as a lot of active rest activity at the hotel leading up to it. I felt really free mentally and loose physically. Looking forward to getting back to training. Thanks for being here! Bubba
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Florida Escape
I'm here on business and my phase break from training. It's four days after my Reno marathon of 13 jumps and my body is still trying to recover. My hip/glute does not hurt which thrills me, but I'm still sore and achy in the midsection which does too. I worked hard on my bars and that helped my swing and stiffness as I hit the pole.
All in all, I worked really hard in the past month and got a nice reward. Though we rarely get what we deserve, I felt like I was long overdue in getting that type of pleasure and it was very special. Now if I can just duplicate it at nationals. As I review the upcoming game plan, I feel certain I can do a few things better. That's it for tonight and thank you for your support!! Bubba
All in all, I worked really hard in the past month and got a nice reward. Though we rarely get what we deserve, I felt like I was long overdue in getting that type of pleasure and it was very special. Now if I can just duplicate it at nationals. As I review the upcoming game plan, I feel certain I can do a few things better. That's it for tonight and thank you for your support!! Bubba
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